Ok -- i am now at a point where I can get my mini - My Suby is paid off and I really dont want to trade her in...but I always wanted a MINI -- so....

I saw a nice 2008 yellow with balck stripes/roof at princeton mini online -- its still on their lot as a CPO (MINI next i think its called)...I need to find out if it comes with a warranty, but if it does... would that be a good car to get, or should i just save some more and try and get a 2011 in the orange color I have been craving? (knowing that there could be a chance that something else will come up and I will have to use that money for something else or something -- which is what has been happening for the last 6 years...)

i would love to hear your thoughts on this as it would be great to get a nice MINI for a good price (so i can have my cake and eat it too)...
thanks !

 

Whats the price of the 08 ????? Options ????

 

its around $20000 and has the prem package i think...

 

20K for an 08? Yeah...no. I got my 2010 S with 7k on the clock for 21k

 

wow -- really???

So what would be a fair price? 19000? 18500?

 

Putting aside which exact car--the new one is on the last year or two of its model life. In addition to usual depreciation, it will likely take a yet steeper hit when the inevitable model change happens; actually will start to happen somewhat before as savvy buyers and dealers factor it into their math. Also, new ones have supply issues w AT, NAV/Connected choices and are in more demand w/ price of gas.

Just know the tensioner, HPFP, and other common issues on the used ones, or read NAM archives if that is news to you. I would try to find one still in warranty, or expect/demand a big price drop if it's not. Lots of them out there to choose from, especially 2008's that should be now rolling off 3 year leases but still w/ some warranty if <50K miles.

 

initially, i was looking into used mcs. however, the price range for the options i wanted on r56 was close to mid 20k just for used that i opted for buying new. once i factored in the extra warranty, lci changes, and mini great 0.9% financing at the time, buying new was a no brainer.

 

I saw on a news report that used '08 Mini's went up in price this year compared to last year....I would think you could get a better deal. I also would make sure if I were getting a used mini that there was some life left on the warranty.

 

I have a 08 MCS. I like it . If you can bare a longer wait, I would buy a new one and get the color and options you want. In the end you will be a lot happier. Just my $.02

 

thanks guys -- i am going to go to the dealer and drive this cute yellow one, find out the warranty situation and also drive a 2011...i would LOVE a spiced orange one...all i want as an option is that sunroof...(and maybe mini connect) so we shall see... but its good to know a 08 isnt a bad model....
thanks everyone --
so a good price would be closer to 19k? or under that?

 

Hey you're from NJ, where you going Morristown or Prestige????

Sorry didn't see that you were going down to Princeton. By the way I had a 06 STI, and after driving a Gen I Cooper S I knew that my next car would be a Mini. The STI was raw but the Mini was more fun to drive.

 

thanks cannedtuna....yes - i am down by princeton but will drive anywhere -- i do love my suby - but with 122000 miles on her, i would love to be able to give her a rest and have her worked on...

where are you?

 

I was in the same dilemma awhile ago.
The resale value on used are real high IMO.
Get a New one that you been craving for and find a Dealer that's willing to negotiate. You'll be surprise that the $ difference is not that Hugh.
The longer warranty is what really made me feel more comfortable about buying a new Mini.
GL

 

Hmm...I see your in a similar boat as I am. I'm currently up in North Jersey and I work pretty much smack in the middle of Prestige and Morristown. I've been to Prestige previously to buy an 06 but walked away as I wasn't convinced that it was as mint as they made it out to be (too many things weren't adding up, nothing against the dealership they didn't try to sell me at all and were very respectful when I wanted to walk).

After that experience I decided that the only way to go would be to buy new, since then I've played with the idea of buying a 2011 STI (decided that I it would cost me too much and would come with the same crappy Subaru warranty that I was already used to). Now I think I've finally made up my mind to go for a new Mini and get the full length of the warranty that they come with. Plus the Mini beats the STI any day when its comes to MPG....

 

I agree.....the 08 will be a blast I'm sure but the "longer warranty" on a new Mini is worth it in my opinion....

 

The 08 you been looking at should still have Warranty till 2012 but that's just around the corner.
I say build the one you want and you'll never second guess yourself.

 

I'm currently contemplating turning in my 2008 mcs for a spice orange 2011 but the amount of problems I've had in the last year make me wonder if I want another mini.

I'd definitely recommend getting new instead of used, you never know how the person before you treated the car!

 

Definitely go for the new MINI !

 

thansk everyone -- if all works out ok, i will be going tomorrow to princeton mini to test drive --

now the question becomes - regular cooper or S ?
is there really a lot of different between the two?

 

Go to these dealers also:

Mini of Morristown.

Mini of Monmouth.

 

I just picked up an 08' R55 with Premium, Sport, and Comfort Access Packages. Had less than 22K miles on it. Drives like a dream. Had installed accessories like driving lamps, rally stripes, etc. Was at least 10K less than a new one i test drove with close to similar options. Mine still has warranty and service contract. I'm going to extend the service contract (about $2K) for 3 years and "might" extend the factory warranty after 2012, depending on the price.


-z

 

While it is nice to buy new, the amount you save getting used is pretty remarkable as long as it has the features youd like. Especially if the miles are low.

 

I also am planning to buy mine used (in the new year), I was just looking around and I saw a 2010 Cooper S with 14,000 miles for $20,800. I think the only package it has is the cold weather one, but that's still a better deal than the 2008 the OP was looking at. Compared to the same car new you're still saving at least 5k.

 

i wouldnt mind buying used as long as the car and price were right (and it was still in warranty) although i do love that spiced orange color -- we are going to princeton tomorrow (fingers crossed) to see what they have and drive a used, a regular cooper and an s and see what happens...

wish me luck !

 

are these better than Princeton or the same...i was also thinking about going to Mt Laurel MINI as I live in the middle of that and princeton.